新型光敏剂治疗敏感及耐药胃癌的实验研究

目的 探讨一种新型光敏剂DTP对敏感胃癌细胞(SGC7901)及长春新碱耐药胃癌细胞(SGC7901/VCR)的光动力学治疗作用.方法 采用荧光显微镜间接确认SGC7901及SGC7901/VCR细胞膜上P-糖蛋白(P-gp)的表达情况,细胞计数试剂盒(CCK-8)检测DTP对SGC7901及SGC7901/VCR细胞的光动力学杀伤作用,荧光分光光度计测定两种细胞内的DTP吸收量,激光共聚焦显微镜观察DTP在两种细胞内的分布位置.结果 SGC7901细胞膜上几乎无P-gp分布,而SGC7901/VCR细胞膜上存在P-gp高表达.新型光敏剂DTP对SGC7901及SGC7901/VCR细胞均具有较强的光动力学杀伤作用,其中对SGC7901/VCR细胞的作用相对较弱(P＜0.05),且P-gp抑制剂维拉帕米或环孢素A的存在均不能增强DTP光动力学治疗对SGC7901/VCR细胞的杀伤作用(均P＞0.05).SGC7901细胞内的DTP吸收量高于SGC7901/VCR细胞(P＜0.05),且P-gp抑制剂维拉帕米和环孢素A均不能增加SGC7901/VCR细胞内的DTP吸收量(均P＞0.05).DTP分布于SG-C7901细胞的溶酶体以及SGC7901/VCR细胞的溶酶体和线粒体内.结论 新型光敏剂DTP并非多药转运蛋白P-gp的底物,其对SGC7901/VCR细胞较弱的光动力学杀伤作用与其细胞膜上过表达的P-gp无关,可能与DTP在两种细胞内的分布位置不同有关.     

Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of pyrazinamide resistance among multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis clinical isolates in Hangzhou,China

ObjectivesPyrazinamide (PZA) is a crucial first-line tuberculosis (TB) drug recommended for both drug-susceptible and multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of the sequencing method of pncA, rpsA and panD mutations in detecting PZA resistance in multidrug-resistant (MDR) TB isolates.MethodsWe sequenced the pncA, rpsA and panD genes and performed PZA susceptibility tests across 291 MDR-TB isolates to evaluate the performance of the sequencing method of these genes in detecting PZA resistance.ResultsResults showed that 145 (90.0%) of 161 PZA phenotypic resistant isolates had mutations in pncA. Among the 16 isolates (10.0%) which did not have mutations in pncA, ten and three isolates had mutations in rpsA and panD, respectively. The sequencing method for detecting mutations in pncA alone had 90.1% (95% confidence interval (CI), 84.4–94.2) sensitivity and 92.3% (95% CI, 86.3–96.3) specificity. The combination of all three genes increased the sensitivity from 90.1% (95% CI, 84.4–94.2) to 98.1% (95% CI, 94.7–99.6) (p < 0.001) while the specificity remained unchanged. In 120 PZA-susceptible and 16 PZA-resistant isolates without pncA mutations, rpsA/panD mutations were correlated with PZA resistance.ConclusionsPZA resistance was largely associated with mutations in pncA. Mutations in rpsA and panD were also associated with PZA resistance in MDR isolates expressing wild-type pncA. The detection of mutations in pncA, rpsA and panD can be useful for the determination of PZA resistance.     

Prognostic significance of multidrug resistance gene 1 (MDR1), multidrug resistance-related protein (MRP) and lung resistance protein (LRP) mRNA expression in acute leukemia

The prognostic significance of multidrug resistance (MDR) gene expression is controversial. We investigated whether multidrug resistance gene 1 (MDR1), multidrug resistance-related protein (MRP) and lung resistance protein (LRP) mRNA expression are associated with outcomes in acute leukemia patients. At diagnosis we examined MDR1, MRP and LRP mRNA expression in bone marrow samples from 71 acute leukemia patients (39 myeloid, 32 lymphoblastic) using nested RT-PCR. The expression of each of these genes was then expressed as a ratio in relation to beta-actin gene expression, and the three genes were categorized as being either 0, 1+, 2+ or 3+. MDR1, MRP and LRP mRNA expression was detected in 23.9%, 83.1% and 45.1 %, respectively. LRP mRNA expression was significantly associated with resistance to induction chemotherapy in acute leukemia patients, and in the AML proportion (p=0.02 and p=0.03, respectively). MRP and high MDR1 mRNA expression was associated with poorer 2-yr survival (p=0.049 and p=0.04, respectively). Patients expressing both MRP and LRP mRNA had poorer outcomes and had worse 2-yr survival. The present data suggest that MDR expression affects complete remission and survival rates in acute leukemia patients. Thus, determination of MDR gene expression at diagnosis appears likely to provide useful prognostic information for acute leukemia patients.     

Roles of ligand and TPGS of micelles in regulating internalization,penetration and accumulation against sensitive or resistant tumor and therapy for multidrug resistant tumors

There are several obstacles in the process of successful treatment of malignant tumors, including toxicity to normal cells, inefficiency of drug permeation and accumulation into the deep tissue of solid tumor, and multidrug resistance (MDR). In this work, we prepared docetaxel (DTX)-loaded hybrid micelles with DSPE–PEG and TPGS (TPGS/DTX-M), where TPGS serves as an effective P-gp inhibitor for overcoming MDR, and active targeting hybrid micelles (FA@TPGS/DTX-M) with targeting ligand of folate on the hybrid micelles surface offering active targeting to folate receptor-overexpressed tumor cells. A systematic comparative evaluation of these micelles on cellular internalization, sub-cellular distribution, antiproliferation, mitochondrial membrane potential, cell apoptosis and cell cycle, permeation and inhibition on 3-dimensional multicellular tumor spheroids, as well as antitumor efficacy and safety assay in vivo were well performed between sensitive KB tumors and resistant KBv tumors, and among P-gp substrate or not. We found that the roles of folate and TPGS varied due to the sensitivity of tumors and the loaded molecules in the micelles. Folate and folate receptor-mediated endocytosis played a leading role in internalization, permeation and accumulation for sensitive tumors and non-substrates of P-gp. On the contrary, TPGS played the predominant role which dramatically decreased the efflux of drugs both when the tumor is resistant and for P-gp substrate. These findings are very meaningful for guiding the design of carrier delivery system to treat tumors. The antitumor efficacy in xenograft nude mice model and safety assay showed that the TPGS/DTX-M and FA@TPGS/DTX-M significantly exhibited higher antitumor activity against resistant KBv tumors than the marketed formulation and normal micelles owing to the small size (approximately 20 nm), hydrophilic PEGylation, TPGS inhibition of P-gp function, and folate receptor-modified endocytosis, permeation and accumulation in solid tumor, as well as synergistic effects of DTX-induced cell division inhibition, growth restraint and TPGS-triggered mitochondrial apoptosis in tumor cells. In conclusion, folate-modified TPGS hybrid micelles provide a synergistic strategy for effective delivery of DTX into KBv cells and overcoming MDR.     

Integrin β1对胃癌细胞SGC7901多药耐药性的影响

目的:探究整合素β1(integrinβ1)对胃癌多药耐药性的影响及可能的作用机制。方法:Western blot法及q PCR实验检测胃癌细胞株SGC-7901及胃癌耐药细胞株SGC-7901/DDP中integrinβ1的表达情况。采用integrinβ1反义寡核苷酸转染,敲减胃癌耐药细胞株SGC-7901/DDP中integrinβ1的表达,CCK-8法检测细胞活力,流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡,Western blot法检测integrinβ1、Bcl-2/Bax、cleaved caspase-3/caspase-3、细胞色素C(CytC)和p-AKT/AKT的蛋白水平。结果:耐药细胞株SGC7901/DDP中integrinβ1的mRNA及蛋白表达水平均明显高于亲本细胞株;并且在亲本细胞株SGC7901中加入顺铂、长春新碱及5-氟尿嘧啶等化疗药物刺激后,integrinβ1的蛋白表达水平明显升高。敲减integrinβ1的表达可诱导胃癌耐药细胞SGC7901/DDP的凋亡,增加细胞对化疗药物的敏感性;此外下调Bcl-2/Bax、p-AKT~(Ser473)和p-AKT~(Thr308)的蛋白水平,同时促进线粒体Cyt-C的释放,上调cleaved caspase-3的蛋白水平。结论:敲减胃癌顺铂耐药细胞SGC7901/DDP的integrinβ1表达可恢复细胞对化疗药物的敏感性,促进细胞经线粒体路径的凋亡,其机制可能与抑制AKT的磷酸化,阻断该信号通路有关。     

Inguinal skin colonization with multidrug-resistant bacteria among residents of elderly care facilities: Frequency,persistence, molecular analysis and clinical impact

Frequency, persistence and molecular characteristics of multidrug resistant bacteria colonizing inhabitants of long term care facilities are topics of current concern. We performed a point-prevalence survey of 402 residents in 7 elderly care facilities in Berlin, Germany. Inguinal swabs were analyzed for the presence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE), and multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria. Three and six months following the initial investigation, all colonized residents were sampled again and the occurrence of intercurrent infections, hospital admissions and use of antimicrobials were registered. Genetic relatedness of the bacteria was investigated using multi-locus sequence typing (MLST), spa-typing and SmaI/XbaI-macrorestriction analysis. 33 (8.2%) residents were skin-colonized with multidrug-resistant bacteria. MRSA were found in 19 (4.7%) and ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae in 16 residents (3.98%). Independent risk factors for colonization with multidrug-resistant bacteria were a high level of care and the presence of chronic wounds. A large proportion of the observed bacteria persisted up to six months and showed a high degree of inter-individual diversity. Outcome analysis revealed that infections tend to occur slightly more often in residents colonized by multiresistant pathogens. We assume that a perceptible population of residents in nursing homes is at risk for individual colonization with multidrug-resistant bacteria as well as healthcare associated infections.     

Comparative accumulation of the fluorescent probe Hoechst 33258 in leukemia P388 cells sensitive and resistant to doxorubicin

Department for the Study of New Antitumor Drugs, All-Union Oncologic Scientific Center, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR N. N. Blokhin.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 110, No. 9, pp. 310–312, September, 1990.     

Restoration of chemosensitivity in cancer cells with MDR phenotype by deoxyribozyme,compared with ribozyme

One of the main mechanisms for multidrug resistance (MDR) involves multidrug resistance gene 1 (MDR1) which encodes P-glycoprotein (Pgp). Pgp acts as a drug efflux pump and exports chemotherapeutic agents from cancer cells. Specific inhibition of Pgp expression by gene therapy is considered a well-respective strategy having less innate toxicities. At present, the investigation of DRz in reversal MDR is scarce. In the study, phosphorothioate DRz that targets to the translation initiation codon AUG was synthesized and transfected into breast cancer cells and leukemia cells with MDR phenotype. ASODN (antisense oligonucleotide) and ribozyme targets to the same region were also synthesized for comparison analysis. Alterations in MDR1 mRNA and Pgp were determined by RT-PCR, Northern blot, flow cytometry and Rh123 retention tests. Chemosensitivity of the treated cells was determined by MTT assay. The results showed that DRz could significantly suppress expression of MDR1 mRNA and inhibit synthesis of Pgp. The efflux activity of Pgp was inhibited accordingly. Chemosensitivity assay showed that a 21-fold reduction in drug resistance for Adriamycin and a 45-fold reduction in drug resistance for Vinblastine were found in the treated cells 36 h after transfection. These data suggest that DRz targeted to the translation initiation codon AUG can reverse MDR phenotype in cancer cells and restore their chemosensitivity. Moreover, the reversal efficiency of DRz is better than that of ribozyme and ASODN targets to the same region of MDR1 mRNA.     

甲基莲心碱对耐长春新碱人胃癌细胞多药耐药性的逆转

目的:研究甲基莲心碱(Nef)逆转耐长春新碱人胃癌细胞多药耐药性(MDR)的作用及机制。方法:采用噻唑蓝(MTT)比色法检测长春新碱(VCR)的细胞毒性;PI染色流式细胞计数测定VCR诱导细胞凋亡;间接免疫荧光流式细胞术检测细胞P-gp和MRP的表达。结果:Nef(5、10μmol·L^-1)对人胃癌细胞(SGC7901)和耐长春新碱人胃癌细胞(SGC7901/VCR)无显著毒性作用,VCR对敏感株SGC7901的IC₅₀为0.06mg·L^-1,而对MDR细胞株SGC7901/VCR的IC₅₀为2.32mg·L^-1,SGC7901/VCR较SGC7901对VCR耐药39倍,Nef(2.5、5、10μmol·L^-1)能使VCR对SGC7901/VCR细胞的IC₅₀从2.32mg·L^-1依次下降至0.34、0.12、0.05mg·L^-1,逆转倍数分别为6.8、18.1、43.8。Nef(2.5、5、10μmol·L^-1)能降低SGC7901/VCR细胞对VCR的凋亡抗性,其作用强于维拉帕米(VRP)。SGC7901/VCR细胞较SGC7901细胞高表达P-gp、MRP,Nef(10μmol·L^-1)处理24h后,SGC7901/VCR细胞P-gp、MRP的表达明显低下。结论:Nef具有逆转耐长春新碱人胃癌细胞的MDR作用,其作用机理与下调P-pg和MRP表达有关。     

Intracellular localization of natural and modified oligonucleotides in primary human endothelial cells

Intracellular localization of natural and fluorescent-labeled oligonucleotides in primary human endothelial cells was studied by means of fluorescence microscopy and radioisotope analysis. Transport and distribution of oligonucleotides in endotheliocytes depended on their structure and resistance to hydrolysis under the effect of cell nucleases. Modification of 5′-terminal phosphate and 3′-terminal oligonucleotide increased the stability and ensures nuclear localization of oligonucleotides in cells. __________ Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 143, No. 2, pp. 163–165, February, 2007     

Intracellular accumulation and immunological properties of fluorescent gold nanoclusters in human dendritic cells

We have studied the effect of highly fluorescent gold nanoclusters (Au NCs) (∅ < 3 nm) stabilized by different ligands on the intracellular accumulation and immune response of human derived-monocyte dendritic cells (DCs). Results indicate that the high uptake efficiency of Au NCs is strongly related to their small size and to the nature of the ligand, with zwitterionic ligands being more effective than PEGylated ones. Evidence from flow cytometry and microscopy demonstrate time and concentration-dependent Au NCs internalization by endocytic pathway(s) involving amorphous and laminar organelles, while maintaining their discrete size and photoluminescence properties. The uptake of zwitterionic ligand-stabilized Au NCs induced very low cytotoxicity and a strong immunosuppressive response (Th1/Treg pattern), associated with a DC maturation state. This behavior contrasts to the effect of bigger particles (∼12 nm size) which induced a cytotoxic response involving Natural Killer (CD56) cells. Overall, this study stresses the critical importance of particle size and ligand type on the immunostimulation of DCs and highlights the remarkable potential of this new class of nanomaterial as a novel vaccine platform.     

DARPP-32在胃癌中的表达及其意义

目的 探讨DARPP-32蛋白在胃癌组织、细胞系及耐药细胞系中的表达及意义。方法用免疫组织化学SABC法检测96例胃癌组织及57例正常胃黏膜中DARPP-32的表达,用Western蛋白印迹检测胃癌组织及细胞系中DARPP-32的表达。结果 胃腺癌组织中DARPP-32的表达率(92.7％,89/96)显著高于正常胃组织(52.6％,30/57,P<0.05),且DARPP-32表达与胃腺癌的分化、浸润、转移无关(P>0.05)。在胃癌患者的癌组织中DARPP-32和剪切产物t-DARPP均表达,其表达水平显著高于其癌旁组织(t=2.45,P=0.015),并以t-DARPP的表达为主。在人胃癌细胞系中也存在DARPP-32和t-DARPP的表达,而且DARPP-32在SGC7901耐药细胞株SGC7901/VCR和SGC7901/ADR中的表达水平较其亲本细胞明显下调。结论 DARPP-32在胃腺癌组织中的表达增高,DARPP-32参与胃癌的发生,其信号转导通路可能存在于胃上皮细胞,并与胃癌的发生及多药耐药相关。     

急性白血病中MDR1 MRP和Fas表达及其临床意义

目的 研究多药耐药基因（MDR1）、多药耐药相关蛋白基因（MRP）和诱导凋亡的因子Fas在急性白血病（AL）的表达及它们与临床耐药的关系。方法采用流式细胞仪（FCM）直接免疫荧光法和半定量多聚酶链反应（RT-PCR）测定51例AL患者骨髓单个核细胞三种指标的表达情况。结果51例AL患者中MDR1／MRP／Fas三者共表达阳性率为11．76％,MDR1／MRP／Fas三者表达均阴性发生率为23．53％。三指标表达全阴性的患者75％获得完全缓解（CR）,MDR^＋／MRP^＋／Fas^＋的患者84．21％获得CR,MDR^＋／MRP^＋／Fas^-或MDR^＋／MRP^＋无一人CR（P〈0．01）。单指标分析表明MDR1、MRP和Fas表达阳性率分别为21．15％、32．69％和65．38％。MDR1阳性者CR率18．18％,明显低于MDR1阴性者72．50％（P〈0．01）;MRP阳性者CR率29．41％,明显低于MRP阴性者76．47％（P〈0．01）;Fas阳性者CR率63．64％,略高于Fas阴性者55．56％,但二者无显著性差异。结论MDR1^＋／MRP^＋或MDR1^＋／MRP^＋／Fas^-者不易获CR,白血病患者的耐药除了与MDR1高表达密切相关外,还与非P^-糖蛋白（P-gp）介导的MRP及Fas表达等因素相关。     

Abundant expression of CXCL9 (MIG) by stromal cells that include dendritic cells and accumulation of CXCR3+ T cells in lymphocyte-rich gastric carcinoma

The neoplastic environment is generally regarded as an immunosuppressive milieu. However, a group of cancers are characterized by the abundance of tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). Here we examined the possible roles of chemokines in the formation of lymphoid stroma in lymphocyte-rich gastric carcinomas (GCs), including EBV(+) cases and conventional GCs. Regardless of EBV positivity, TILs in lymphocyte-rich GCs predominantly expressed CXCR3, while its ligand CXCL9 was abundantly expressed by stromal cells and a portion of cancer cells. CXCL9(+) stromal cells were judged to include dendritic cells, because they partly co-expressed fascin, DC-sign, CD83, DC-lamp or HLA-DR. T cells in close contact with CXCL9(+) cells showed frequent labelling of Ki-67 (approximately 10%), suggesting the immunostimulatory activity of CXCL9(+) stromal cells. The T-cell zone of the regional lymph nodes of lymphocyte-rich GCs also abounded with CXCR3(+) T cells and CXCL9(+) stromal cells. This indicated a close similarity between cancer stroma and regional lymph nodes of lymphocyte-rich GCs. Quantitative RT-PCR also confirmed the strong expression of CXCR3, CXCL9 and IFNgamma in lymphocyte-rich GCs. In contrast, conventional GCs contained less abundant CXCR3(+) T cells and few CXCL9(+) stromal cells. Collectively, the CXCL9-CXCR3 axis plays a pivotal role in the formation of lymphoid stroma in lymphocyte-rich GCs. Given similar findings in the regional lymph nodes, the lymphoid stroma of lymphocyte-rich GCs may represent a tertiary lymphoid tissue with predominantly Th1-shifted immune responses.     

Ultrastructural immunohistochemical localization of gastrin,somatostatin and serotonin in endocrine cells of human antral gastric mucosa

Five types of endocrine cells are found in the human antral gastric mucosa: gastrin (G) cells, somatostatin (D) cells, enterochromaffin (EC) cells and cells with an unknown secretory product (D1 cells and P cells). The content of secretory granules, gastrin, somatostatin and serotonin, was evaluated using electron microscopic immunohistochemistry and was compared with the granular content in G cells, D cells and EC cells as determined by routine electron microscopy. Semi-quantitative scoring of the granular content was performed on a scale 1-4 (empty-full). The content of gastrin (2.5 +/- 0.2) and somatostatin (3.3 +/- 0.2) in the granules was not different from the granular content in G cells (2.5 +/- 0.3; p > 0.05) and D cells (3.5 +/- 0.2; p > 0.05). Gastrin was also found in G cells in a nongranular form. The content of serotonin in granules (2.8 +/- 0.3) was smaller than the granular content in EC cells (3.7 +/- 0.2; p < 0.05). In intermediate-full and intermediate-empty granules, serotonin was localized in the periphery of granules whereas the granular content in EC cells was localized in an eccentric or central pattern. The granular content of D1 cells and P cells was 3.8 +/- 0.2, and 3.4 +/- 0.2, respectively. It is concluded that gastrin and somatostatin immunostaining in granules of G cells and D cells reflects the granular content in G cells and D cells, respectively, whereas serotonin immunostaining does not agree with the granular content of EC cells.     

In vitro activity of imipenem/relebactam,meropenem/vaborbactam and comparators against Enterobacterales from patients with intra-abdominal infections: Results of the study for Monitoring Antimicrobial Resistance Trends (SMART) in Taiwan, 2020

BackgroundMulti-drug resistant Enterobacterales is a growing health threat. Imipenem/relebactam and meropenem/vaborbactam, are not clinically used in Taiwan and the susceptibility is lack from routine laboratory tests.MethodsBroth microdilution method was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and interpreted according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) breakpoints criteria. Isolates that were not susceptible to imipenem (MIC ≥ 2 mg/L), imipenem/relebactam (MIC ≥ 2 mg/L), or ceftolozane-tazobactam (MIC ≥ 4 mg/L) were selected for further molecular testing for genes encoding extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs), AmpC β-lactamases, and carbapenemases by multiplex PCR assays.ResultsA total of 290 Enterobacterales isolates from 9 participating hospitals were collected in 2020. Escherichia coli (n = 135, 46.6%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 88, 30.3%) were two leading pathogens of all Enterobacterales isolates. The antimicrobial agents with susceptibility rates more than 90% included amikacin (99.3%, 288/290), ertapenem (90.0%, 261/290), meropenem (97.2%, 282/290), imipenem/relebactam (94.8%, 275/290) and meropenem/vaborbactam (99.3%, 288/290). K. pneumoniae isolates were less susceptible to ertapenem, imipenem, meropenem, piperacillin-tazobactam and ceftozolane/tazobactam than E. coli (all p < 0.05). ESBL, AmpC, and carbapenemase were detected in 40.5% (17/42), 45.2% (19/42) and 11.9% (5/42) among tested isolates, respectively. The 5 carbapenemase genes included 4 bla_KPC and 1 bla_IMP. The imipenem-non-susceptible isolates (n = 30) had higher susceptibility rates to meropenem/vaborbactam (93.3%, 28/30) than imipenem/relebactam (50%, 12/30) (p < 0.05).ConclusionsImipenem/relebactam and meropenem/vaborbactam had excellent efficacy against Enterobacterales isolates. Meropenem/vaborbactam allowed better salvage therapy for carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales infections.     

Charactersitics of gastroprotein synthesis and phosphorylation in human gastric carcinoma cells

Characteristics of the synthesis and Mg-dependent phosphorylation of gastroproteins are studied in intact cells of the mucous coat of the stomach and in the cells of tumor nodes in the same patients. Comparison of polypeptide maps reveals 4 main types of mucous coats which contain p18 (phosphorylated or not), p20, or p22, or no characteristic feature at all. Two kinds of changes, namely, accessory proteins and proteins disappearing from the spectrum, are manifested mainly in extracts of primary tumors as compared to homologous mucous coats of the stomach. Three classes of gastric tumors are distinguished according to the difference between tumor and normal cell polypeptides: I) no difference, II) isolated differences, and III) numerous qualitative and quantitative differences in gastropolypepides and their phosphoforms. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny Vol. 121, No. 6, pp. 676–681, June, 1996     

Association of specific mutations in katG, rpoB, rpsL and rrs genes with spoligotypes of multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates in Russia

Most multidrug-resistant (MDR) Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates in Russia belong to the Beijing or Latino-American and Mediterranean (LAM) spoligotype families. The objective of this study was to investigate possible associations between genotype and the frequencies of mutations that confer drug resistance in a population that has two large families of circulating strains. Spoligotyping, IS6110 restriction fragment length polymorphism typing, and sequencing of the katG and rpoB genes, were performed for 217 consecutive MDR M. tuberculosis isolates from patients. The rpsL and rrs genes were also sequenced for selected streptomycin-resistant isolates. Of the 217 MDR isolates, 99 (46%) belonged to the LAM family, 92 (42%) to the Beijing family, 21 (10%) to the Haarlem family and four (2%) to the T family. There was one unique spoligotype. Mutations in the katG gene were identified in 207 (95%) isolates, all of which had mutations in codon 315. Mutations in the rpoB gene were identified in 200 (92%) isolates; 75% of LAM isolates carried a mutation in codon 516, whereas 71% of Beijing isolates carried a mutation in codon 531. In the 33 isolates resistant to streptomycin 50 mg/L, the 43AGG rpsL mutation was found in 27% of Haarlem, 75% of Beijing and 0% of LAM isolates, and rrs mutations were found in 17% (516C-->T) of Beijing and 100% (513A-->C) of LAM isolates. Overall, there appeared to be a correlation between the genotype and specific mutations conferring resistance to rifampicin or streptomycin in the Beijing and LAM families. The biological implications of this correlation remain to be explored.     

Intracellular N-methyl-d-glucamine modifies the kinetics and voltage-dependence of the calcium current in guinea pig ventricular heart cells

The effects of internal substitution of the impermeant cation N-methyl-d-glucamine (NMG) for Cs ion on the properties of the Ca-current (l-type channel) were examined in single guinea pig cardiac myocytes with the whole-cell clamp technique. The properties of the cobaltsensitive Ca current recorded in the presence of internal NMG or Cs were compared and the results were as follows. (1) The overall duration of the Ca-dependent slow action potential was markedly increased in the presence of internal NMG (6-fold at 0 mV) when compared to action potentials recorded with internal Cs. (2) The cobalt-sensitive Ca currents recorded with internal NMG or Cs had similar reversal potentials. However, in the presence of internal NMG, the maximum current density of the cobalt-sensitive Ca current was decreased and both the threshold and potential at which maximum current occurred were negatively shifted. (3) Voltage-dependence of steady-state activation, but not inactivation, of the cobalt-sensitive Ca current was shifted by −11.8 mV with internal NMG. (4) NMG increased the halftime of activation and inactivation of the cobalt-sensitive Ca current. The voltage-dependence of the half-time of inactivation was shifted by about −30 mV between 0 and +60 mV. Time constants measurements showed that NMG affected more the slow phase of inactivation of the Ca current. (5) When Ba was the charge carrier, NMG removed most of the inactivation of the current, suggesting a slowing of the voltage-dependent process of inactivation. (6) The results are consistent with a modification of the properties of the Ca channel by internal NMG. This work was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft SFB 246 Project A1     

Identification of polymorphic mutant alleles of CaMDR1, a major facilitator of Candida albicans which confers multidrug resistance, and its in vitro transcriptional activation

CaMDR1 (Candida albicans Multi Drug Resistance) encodes a major facilitator whose expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae confers resistance to several unrelated drugs. We describe here the identification and molecular characterization of seven mutant alleles of CaMDR1 (CaMDR1-1 to 1-7). The complete sequencing of CaMDR1 alleles revealed several in-frame point mutations leading to a change in amino-acid residues where insertion/replacement of an aspartate residue in a serine-asparagine-aspartate-rich domain was most noteworthy. Interestingly, these alleles showed a distinct drug resistance profile. The expression of CaMDR1, or of its alleles, in C. albicans cells was enhanced by benomyl, methotrexate and several other unrelated drugs, and was more pronounced in at least one of the azole-resistant clinical isolates. Received: 22 April / 18 June 1998